Westboro Baptist Church protests soldier's funeral
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Member of the Westboro Baptist Church protest the funeral of a dead soldier in Iowa. Courtesy: Fox News

news.com.au

21 Mar 2014

News

MORAL dilemma: how do you mark the death of one of the most controversial and hated religious figures known to modern mankind?

You protest with peace.

It didn’t take long for followers of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church to return to their old habits after the death of founder Fred Phelps last week.

Phelps’ death on March 20 has received widespread praise across the globe. Picture: The Topeka Capital JournalSource: AP

A young Fred Phelps Snr in 1977. Picture: The Topeka Capital JournalSource: AP

Members of the extremist Church rallied at their first demonstration since Phelps’ death over the weekend, picketing at 17-year-old singer Lorde’s show in Kansas.

“This young lady, hailing from New Zealand and carrying an idolatrous attraction for worthless human “royalty,” has been done a grievous disservice by the adults in her life,” the “Church” wrote in a statement.

“They have failed to train her in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, and she therefore spends her time, energy and talent serving herself and teaching other young people how to be indolent rebels.

“Listen up! Lorde has NO wisdom worth having. Here is the ONLY wisdom for you at this hour ... God will not now and never has and never will permit his creation to engage in same-sex marriage and survive to tell about it!”

Among the messages were banners declaring, “Live your life and be awesome” and “sorry for your loss” — messages which Megan Coleman, who helped create the banners, says is all about bringing folks together.

“We realised that it wasn’t so much about antagonising them, but sending out the counter message that we are here for people who need that message and need that positivity,” she told KSHB Kansas.

“It still does kind of bring everyone else together and so I think it’s kind of counterproductive on that end.”

Enlightening: Grammy award winner Lorde has taken on the Westboro Baptist Church ... and won. Picture: Kevin WinterSource: Getty Images

WBC’s response? GOLD.

“I don’t even know what they mean by what they’re saying,” said Church spokesman Steve Drain.

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